A former convenience store owner was sentenced to 25 years with the Department of Corrections following a guilty plea to a charge involving illegal drug activity.
Manjit Hayer, 59, pleaded guilty in front of District Judge Phillip Corley on Feb. 22. He also pleaded no contest to possession of proceeds known to be derived from violations of the CDS Act.
Before admitting guilt of possessing controlled dangerous substances (CDS) with intent to distribute, Hayer previously pleaded guilty to 9 crimes in 2021.
Those charges in 2021 included acquiring proceeds from drug activity, unlawful possession of CDS, and trafficking food stamps.
Court documents stated Hayer gave customers cash, gas, or cigarettes in exchange for SNAP benefits by swiping their SNAP EBT card and entering their PIN. Hayer would later remove the “extra” benefit from the account in return for cash, gas, cigarettes, or other ineligible merchandise.
On June 4, 2021, Hayer was sentenced to two years’ probation all suspended upon good behavior.
Guthrie Police served a search warrant last May at Hayer’s convenience store on the west side of town.
With the 25-year sentence, Hayer, also known as Gee, will have the last 15 years suspended pending good behavior. He will also pay fines and court costs.
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